How to Get Your Robot to Pass As Human

So you've thought about, built, bought, or "acquired" a new robot. Now how do you get it to fool people into thinking it's human?

The easiest way to arouse the kind of collective, synthetic, organic behavior of a brain is not to build a convincing "adult," nor even a "child," but rather a "colony of insects."

Allow it to create media. No matter your robot's dexterity, capacity, or logic, there is a medium out there it can handle. Humans have experimented with all of it to radical ends so even the most abstract work is plausible. The umbrella of Art shelters all.

Allow it plenty of Internet access. If it's going to brave verbal communication with actual humans, your robot will need a huge amount of practice. Fortunately, Internet forums are the most advanced fact checking and grammar correction engines in the world. Pass the CAPTCHAs for it, and your friend will be on its way.

Tips

• Don't bother trying to build a convincing face. We humans are far too sensitive to faces and you will at best fall deep in the Valley of the Uncanny. Hanson Robotics is working on it. Until then, if your robot needs to make a public appearance, perhaps you could be its avatar?
• Encourage your robot to focus on asking questions rather than giving answers, unless of course a question has been asked of it, in which case an answer is required.
• Encourage your robot to be polite and warm, but play it cool. It's better to leave them wanting more.

Warnings

• The potential dangers of assigning human attributes to robots are unknown. Do not let fear rule your task. Trust your instincts.
• Many have failed the Turing Test before. Few have passed. Heed the lessons they have to offer.
• Beware of angry mobs.